Middletown, R.I. – August 3, 1937

1930s map showing the former location of the airport in Middletown, R.I.

On the morning of August 3, 1937, Everett Johnson Peck Jr., of New York, flew his private airplane from Bridgehamption, Long Island, to Newport Airport, in Middletown, Rhode Island.

The airport currently known as Newport State Airport was opened n 1967, and is not the same Newport Airport that Mr. Peck flew to. That airport was located on the shore of Narragansett Bay in the town of Middletown, and no longer exists. (See map – click on image to enlarge.)

Mr. Peck arrived at the airport safely. At about noon time, he decided to take off again to view the start of the America’s Cup Race, however he crashed on takeoff and was taken to Newport Hospital with serious injuries.